Filemon Vela

Representing the 34 District of Texas

City of Brownsville Honored by Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in Princeton, New Jersey

July 18, 2014
Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                           PRESS CONTACT:

July 18, 2014                                                                            Brenda Lopez 956.544.8352

 

PRESS RELEASE: City of Brownsville Honored by Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in Princeton, New Jersey

 

WASHINGTON, DC – Last night, Congressman Filemon Vela (D-Brownsville) attended the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Culture of Health Prize Celebration & Learning Event at the RWJF campus in Princeton, New Jersey. 

At the ceremony, RWJF and other national health leaders recognized the City of Brownsville’s commitment to promote healthy lifestyles.  Brownsville was selected from more than 250 applicants from across the country and will receive $25,000 in recognition of its commitment to building a Culture of Health.  Brownsville is one of six winners this year to receive this prestigious recognition.

“It was an honor to attend last night’s event recognizing Brownsville,” said Congressman Vela. “I congratulate Brownsville for this prestigious recognition and was proud that so many from Brownsville attended the event including Mayor Tony Martinez, Commissioner Rose Gowen, City Manager Charlie Cabler, Public Health Director Arturo Rodriguez, Lupita Sanchez from Proyecto Juan Diego,  Lisa Mitchell-Bennett from UTB’s School of Public Health, and Rosalva Larrasquitu from Brownsville Independent School District.  I will continue to support city and community leaders as they work on projects which improve the health and enhance the lifestyles of our citizens.  I have seen firsthand how successful these initiatives have been in South Texas.”     

Specifically, Brownsville is being recognized for its work to help people live healthier lives because of initiatives and projects such as the Brownsville Farmer’s Market, a comprehensive smoking ordinance, Tu Salud ¡Sí Cuenta! a community-wide obesity prevention campaign, the La Plaza Multimodal Bus Terminal, the resaca restoration project and Brownsville in Motion.

The RWJF Culture of Health prize winners excelled in six criteria:

  • Harnessing the collective power of leaders, partners, and community members;

•Working strategically across the multiple factors that influence health;

•Addressing problems that disproportionately affect vulnerable populations;

•Developing sustainable, long-term solutions to shared community priorities;

• Leveraging and maximizing resources; and

  • Measuring and sharing results.

 

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